Best Prices for Brake Pad Replacement
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Our certified mobile mechanics can come to your home or office 7 days a week between 7 AM and 9 PM.
How much does Brake Pad Replacement cost?
It depends on the type of car you drive and the auto repair shop you go to. Our mechanics are mobile, which means they don't have the overhead that repair shops have. They provide you convenience by coming to your home or office.
Brake Pad Replacement pricing for various cars
| Cars | Estimate | Parts Cost | Labor Cost | Savings | Average Dealer Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 GMC Terrain | $227 | $80.56 | $145.99 | -20% | $188.06 |
| 2015 Nissan Armada | $227 | $80.56 | $145.99 | -20% | $188.06 |
| 2010 Subaru Impreza | $227 | $80.56 | $145.99 | -20% | $188.06 |
| 2016 Lexus NX200t | $232 | $85.57 | $145.99 | -19% | $193.07 |
| 2016 Lexus LX570 | $227 | $80.56 | $145.99 | -20% | $188.06 |
| 2016 Porsche 911 | $239 | $92.98 | $145.99 | -19% | $200.48 |
Brake Pad Replacement Service
What Are Brake Pads and How Do They Work?
Brake pads are an integral component of the braking system, a critical safety feature in any vehicle. These pads apply pressure and friction to the brake rotors, which in turn slow down and stop your car. Understanding what brake pads are made of, how brake pads work, brake pad types, and their relationship with brake rotors is essential to maintaining optimal braking performance.
The Role of Brake Pads in the Braking Process
During the braking process, brake pads come into direct contact with the brake rotors, creating the necessary friction to reduce the wheels' rotational speed. This friction converts the kinetic energy of the moving vehicle into thermal energy, effectively slowing down and eventually stopping the vehicle. Over time, this repeated action causes brake pads to wear, necessitating their replacement.
Types of Brake Pads: Ceramic, Semi-metallic, and Organic
- Ceramic Brake Pads: Composed of dense ceramic material mixed with metal fibers, these pads are known for their durability and quiet operation. They produce less brake dust and are ideal for daily driving conditions.
- Semi-metallic Brake Pads: These consist of an amalgam of steel, iron, copper, and other metals, offering excellent heat transfer and performance. Suitable for high-performance vehicles, they may, however, be noisier and produce more brake dust compared to ceramic pads.
- Organic Brake Pads: Made from natural materials like glass, rubber, and Kevlar, organic brake pads are quieter and generally easier on brake rotors, but tend to wear out faster and are less effective in extreme driving conditions.
Brake Pads vs. Rotors: How They Work Together
Brake pads and rotors are the key elements in the automobile's disc braking system. When the brake pedal is depressed, the brake caliper squeezes the brake pads against the spinning rotors. The brake pads provide a cushioned but firm contact surface that applies friction to the rotors, causing the vehicle to reduce speed. For efficient operation, it is essential for the pads to be of the right material and in good condition, and for the rotors to be smooth and uniform. The interplay between these two components is what ensures a reliable and safe braking experience.
Mobile Brake Pad Replacement Time & Cost
Average Brake Pad Replacement Time
The time it takes to replace brake pads for a mobile mechanic can vary depending on several factors such as the vehicle's make and model, and the condition of the brake system. Generally, a brake pad replacement typically takes around 1-2 hours per axle for a mobile mechanic. It’s best practice to replace the entire axle at once. However, more complex brake systems or additional repairs may extend the time needed for the replacement. It's always best to consult with a professional mechanic or service center for a more accurate estimate based on your specific vehicle and situation.
Factors Influencing the Cost of Brake Pad Replacement
- Vehicle Type: High-end and heavy-duty vehicles typically require more expensive brake pads compared to standard passenger cars.
- Brake Pad Material: The cost can differ depending on whether you choose organic, ceramic, or semi-metallic brake pads, each offering different levels of performance and longevity.
- Labor Costs: Labor charges can vary by location and service provider, significantly affecting the overall cost.
- Additional Repairs: Sometimes, replacing only the brake pads isn't sufficient, and additional components like rotors or calipers may also need servicing, leading to higher costs.
Average Price Range for Different Types of Brake Pads
Typically, drivers can expect to spend anywhere from $200 to $500 per axle for a standard brake pad replacement. High-performance vehicles or those requiring specialty brake pads may be at the higher end of this range or may even exceed it. It's vital to consult with a professional mechanic to understand the specific needs of your vehicle and receive an accurate estimate.
How Our Mobile Mechanics Replace Brake Pads
Our brake pad replacement requires these steps:
- Confirm the thickness of the remaining friction material on the brake pads. If the remaining friction material is less than 2 mm in thickness, pad replacement is warranted.
- Visually inspect the brake rotor surface that contacts the pad (for scoring, pitting, grooves, rust) and measure the brake rotor with precision tools for thickness variation, run-out and warpage.
- Inspect the caliper, torque plate, pads, and rotors to determine if the caliper is operating freely (i.e., inspect for stuck calipers).
- Install new pads and any additional recommended components (e.g., rotors, if rotors depart from OEM specifications) only with customer approval of course.
- Lubricate brake system components, such as caliper sliding pins, and inspect the condition of the brake fluid. Top off brake fluid as required.
- Perform a basic 50 point safety inspection of your vehicle.
- Finally, the mechanic will test drive your vehicle to confirm normal operation of the brake system.
Symptoms Indicating a Brake Pad Replacement is Needed
The lifetime of brake pads depends on design and material, but there are several indications that you need new brake pads There are a lot of factors that go into how often brake pads should be replaced, but it’s important to monitor your vehicle for these symptoms to know if a replacement is needed.
- Wear indicator on vehicle dashboard: When the friction material on the brake pads is worn to within 2 mm of the pad backing plate, replacement of the pads is necessary. Most newer cars today have electronics built into the brake pad. When the pad is at a point that it needs to be replaced, a symbol will appear on your vehicle dashboard’s instrument cluster. Consult your owner’s manual to learn what the symbol looks like.
- High pitched squeal when braking: When the friction material on the pads is worn close to the backing plate, you may hear a squealing or squeaking noise as you drive regardless of whether you are applying the brakes or not. That squealing or squeaking noise is designed to make you aware that the brake pads are getting low and need to be inspected. If all of the friction material on the brake pad has been worn away, you will hear grinding and scraping noises when you apply the brakes. Pad replacement is mandatory at this point and the vehicle is unsafe to drive until corrected.
- ** Brake pedal pulsation or vehicle vibration:** Over time, brake rotors may develop excessive thickness variation (>.001 inches), excessive runout on the wheel hub (> .002 inches), or the brake rotor may warp due to high operating temperatures. If these defects exist, you may notice pulsation in the brake pedal or steering wheel during braking. New pads and rotor resurfacing or replacement will be required if the rotor has any of the above-mentioned deficiencies.
- Vehicle pulling or wandering on braking: If your car pulls to the right or left during braking, that could be a sign of a sticking brake caliper, misalignment of the suspension, and sometimes tire defects or uneven tire inflation from side-to-side. The mechanic who inspects your vehicle will determine if new brake pads alone will resolve the issue or if other repairs are needed.
- High mileage on existing pads: Regardless of whether any of the above brake system symptoms occur, every 10,000 miles a mechanic should measure the thickness of the remaining friction material on the brake pads and perform a thorough visual inspection of the braking system.
- Brake system warning lights and/or maintenance reminder messages: Should your brake system warning light ever illuminates, or a brake system related maintenance reminder message appears in the driver information display, have your vehicle inspected and repaired as soon as possible.
Why Regular Brake Inspections are Critical
Effective maintenance of a vehicle's braking system is paramount for the longevity and safety of any automobile. Ensuring that regular inspections are a part of your maintenance routine is a vital step in detecting any issues before they turn into costly repairs or, more importantly, create unsafe driving conditions.
Regular brake inspections act as a preventative measure to identify potential problems before they escalate. Worn brake pads, compromised brake lines, or damaged rotors can be detected early through routine checks, thereby potentially avoiding more extensive damage to the braking system and associated components that can result from neglect.
The performance of your vehicle's brake system is directly linked to the safety of both the driver and passengers. Inspections ensure that every aspect of the brake system is functioning correctly, maintaining the vehicle's ability to stop promptly and safely under various driving conditions.
By regularly inspecting the brake system, wear and tear on the brake pads, rotors, and other components can be monitored, and parts can be replaced before severe damage occurs. This proactive approach not only safeguards the individual parts but also extends the overall lifespan of the brake system, making it a cost-effective strategy for long-term vehicle care.
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